MFA Curriculum

Sixty hours and a residency requirement of three years (six semesters) are required for the MFA degree in Dance. A two-year program (four semesters) may be offered determined on an individual basis based on background and level of professional experience. Some degree of curricular flexibility is permitted depending on previous experience and current interests and goals. Course work taken to complete undergraduate deficiencies will not receive graduate credit. Program requirements include thirty six hours in the areas of physical practice, composition, special topics seminars, historical and theoretical studies, Media, production and portfolio development; a twelve hour culminating creative project; and twelve hours of electives, which may be taken in dance or related areas of interest. Cross-disciplinary work and independent study successfully in areas of interest are encouraged. The ability of the candidates to pursue graduate study is assessed at the midterm of the second and fourth semester in residence, at which time a decision is made regarding continuation in the program.

60 CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE

Course Requirements 

STUDIO OR RELATED AREAS

COMPOSITION - 6 hrs minimum
Composition Workshop (462), 2 hrs
History, Theory and Methodology of Composition (542), 2-3 hrs
Creative Project/Preparation for Thesis Work (562), 2 hrs

These courses are offered on alternate years and are strongly recommended.
Composer-Choreographer Workshop (464), 2 hrs
Dance for Camera (465), 3–4 hrs

THESIS/CREATIVE PROJECT - 8 hrs
Culminating Creative Thesis Project (598), 8 hrs, full year course 

PHYSICAL PRACTICE - 12 to 18 hrs
The physical practice requirement is determined through advisement. We require MFA candidates in dance to establish and maintain a graduate phyical practice. 

PERFORMANCE - 2 hrs minimum
Performance Practicum (420, 421, 422, 423), 1-3 hrs per dance

OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS - 11 hrs
Professional Seminar (510), 4 hrs These courses are offered on alternate years under Dance 510:
– Feminist Choreography
– Socio-political Issues in Dance – Moving Across Cultures
Career Seminar (531), 1 hr
Introduction to Media (532), 2 hrs
Contemporary Directions in Dance (541), 4 hrs

ELECTIVES - 12 + hrs
May be taken in Dance. It is strongly recommended that graduate students pursue some course work in areas of interest outside the Department of Dance. Courses must be at the 300 level to count as graduate credit.

ELECTIVES CONTINUED
Viewing Dance (400), 1 hr
The Alexander Technique for Dancers (401), 1 hr
Advanced Jazz (410), 1 hr
Performance Practicum II (420, 421, 422, 423), 1 hr
A maximum of 8 hrs of performance credit may be counted toward degree requirements
Dance Internship (425), 1-4 hrs
Dance Production (431)
History of Dance I (440), 4 hrs
History of Dance II (441), 4 hrs
Teaching Workshop (450), 3 hrs Independent Study (451), 1-4 hrs
Supervised Teaching (551), 2–4 hrs
Advanced Research (550), 2-4 hrs
 Composer-Choreographer Workshop (464), 2 hrs
Dance for Camera (465), 2 hrs
Problems in Teaching and Administration (520)
(This course is not currently offered)
Special Topics Seminars (530), 4 hrs each 
– Somatics and the Teaching of Technique
 – Laban/Bartenieff Theory and Practice in Relationship to Technique and Choreography
Advanced Research in Dance (550), 2-4 hrs
– Course Development
– Self-Producing
– Publishing Research – Special Choreographic/Creative/Cross-Disciplinary Projects
Supervised Teaching (551), 1-4 hrs each
A maximum of 8 hrs of performance credit may be counted toward degree requirements
The History and Theory of Post-Modern Dance (552), 4 hrs (This course is not currently offered)
Advanced Physical Practice (560), 1-4 hrs, By advisement